Rhea County Online -
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Published on: 7/23/2006
Last Visited: 7/25/2006
There doesn't appear to be much that Harold "Bimbo" McCawley hasn't done in his lifetime, and he hopes to use that diversity of experience as the next Rhea County executive.
For most of his life, McCawley has had several jobs going.While he may now be best known as the owner of Bimbo's Restaurant on Rhea County Highway, he is also the owner of Dayton Industrial Preschool and Daycare and the owner/developer of Northbrook Estates subdivision.
Oh, by the way, he's also worked at La-Z-Boy since 1983.He is currently plant manager of Plant 19 at the Dayton facility where he is responsible for $100 million a year in production costs and supervising employees on three shifts.
Over the years McCawley also owned and operated Northbrook Construction and Richland Park Cinema.
In all his spare time he is chairman of the Rhea County School Board.
McCawley says his work ethic was formed at a young age-he began working as a shoeshine boy at Bobby Beard's Eagles' Nest Barbershop at the age of 7.
"It was a great experience," he said."It was simplistic in many ways, but from the money exchange to interacting with customers, it was totally enlightening and made for some lifelong lessons."
A lifelong resident of Rhea County, McCawley graduated from Rhea County High School and attended Roan State Community College and Chattanooga State Technical Community College before earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and Organization from Bryan College.He said he hopes to complete an MBA program by 2009.
McCawley served in the Tennessee Army National Guard from 1980 to 1996 when he was honorably discharged as a staff sergeant.He completed several armor and tank schools as a member of the 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment.
He and his daughter, Ashley, 20, live in Evensville.He coached youth sports teams for 19 years and is a member of the Dayton Chamber of Commerce.
Not surprisingly, McCawley believes that improving the Rhea County School System and investing in the educational future of the county should be a top priority for the next county executive.
"Education is the key to our future in Rhea County," he said."Employers want a skilled and educated workforce.We must offer up individuals who use critical thinking skills, understand technology, demonstrate effective communication skills and are willing to continually learn."
McCawley said Rhea County should strive not just to be equal with its neighbors but to develop an educational system that will set it apart from its neighbors.He said he wants to work with Bryan College and Chattanooga State to develop advanced curriculum and programs for advanced students.He also wants to start an educational foundation to help fund the purchase of state-of-the-art computers and other technology to benefit both students and teachers.
His other main focus is on planning, an outgrowth of his management career at La-Z-Boy.McCawley wants to create a standing planning committee for Rhea County that would involve representatives of all areas of the county.He believes Rhea County should have concrete five-, 10- and 20-year plans, complete with goals and proactive plans to accomplish those goals.
McCawley also wants to establish an advisory committee of businessmen, educators, professionals and community residents to meet regularly with county and city leaders to provide feedback on the performance of government and to provide advice for improving the way government operates.
"People in this community know me and they know I want to advance our community," McCawley said.
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